PARP inhibitors for small cell lung cancer and their potential for integration into current treatment approaches

Ranya Barayan; Xiaozhuo Ran; Benjamin H Lok

doi:10.21037/jtd.2020.03.89

PARP inhibitors for small cell lung cancer and their potential for integration into current treatment approaches

J Thorac Dis. 2020 Oct;12(10):6240-6252. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2020.03.89.

Authors

Ranya Barayan¹, Xiaozhuo Ran², Benjamin H Lok^{1

2

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.
² Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
³ Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁴ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Abstract

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a very aggressive, highly lethal, neuroendocrine tumor that constitutes 15% of all lung cancer cases. It is characterized by its rapid disease progression and high relapse rate leading to poor survival for diagnosed patients. Recently, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for SCLC. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that PARPi possesses cytotoxic activity as a single-agent and in combination with other anti-cancer agents. Predictive biomarkers of response to PARPi, such as SLFN11, have also been described in SCLC. This review aims to summarize the recent preclinical investigations and the relevant clinical trials that evaluate PARPi in SCLC. Here, we highlight the potential role of PARPi in a biomarker-selected manner and in combination with chemotherapy, targeted agents, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

Keywords: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC); chemotherapy; immunotherapy; poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi); radiation sensitizer.

Publication types

Review

Abstract

Publication types

Grants and funding